Cinema

The Chilean actress stars in 'Ema', a hypnotic and very erotic drama directed by Pablo Larraín about a dancer blinded by anger

Hypnotic, electrifying, punk or fascinating are some of the multiple adjectives with which Ema has been defined, the new film by Pablo Larraín ( The club , Jackie ). In it, Mariana Di Girolamo (Santiago, Chile, 1990) gets into the skin of Ema, the protagonist girl, a dancer whom we see very far from her partner (Gael García Bernal) as a result of an adoption that went wrong. From there, that reggaeton lover will start a crusade in which she will use her sexuality and, at certain times, a flamethrower, to discharge her anger in search of her freedom as a woman.

This Chilean production, which was applauded as it passed through the Venice Festival , has been well received in various countries. Interestingly, in Chile it could only be in theaters for a few weeks to coincide with the social revolts that led the country's authorities to decree the state of emergency after several victims occurred as a result of the undue action of the security forces.

'Ema' trailer

Is it true that in this movie there was no script to use? And if there was ... I never had it! (laughs) But neither Gael García Bernal, nor me, nor any of the actors. It is something chilling and, after a while, liberating. I, who come from working on television, usually know where my characters are coming from and where they are going. Here that was not relevant. Pablo, the director, only told me that he was going to play a young dancer who lived in Valparaíso and would work with Gael. I was going to say yes to everything, because I admire him and follow him for a long time. I love what he does. But I didn't know anything about the plot before I started shooting. So, when I saw the movie after I made it, I almost died. For everything that surrounds me, for seeing me and giving me modesty ... But I loved it and I think it's a very brave film. And, of course, I highlight the relevance that it has for Chilean cinema. Do you recognize yourself in Ema when you see yourself on the screen? It is a completely different character from me. Is a character! With her I only share body, voice and passion for dancing. But that's it. I do not intend to understand it and I usually debate with the decisions it makes. But I think it's wonderful. The film has raised controversy for its high-pitched scenes, such as an orgy of girls. Was it difficult to shoot them? It wasn't that bad. I think the orgy scene is beautifully portrayed, with respect and naturalness and a very artistic lighting. I got nervous because I was there naked and it is shameful to expose you that way. But when I saw her, I found it funny the way a group of dangerous women has to seduce a poor lawyer who appears rendered at her feet. I think that in Stockholm, in Sweden, they were not shocked but were surprised to see her. What did your relatives tell you when they saw it on the big screen? My partner, who is a musician, accompanied me during the process even though he was away during filming. It was not easy to face something so exhausting and challenging. But, when he saw her, he loved it ... and even told me that the almost explicit sex scenes I had told him were not so much. Of course, I wrote to several members of my family before the premiere to "invite" them not to go (laughs). I thought it was not necessary for them. But they were. And what happened? They liked it and congratulated me. Although my mother told me when we left that we would talk in five days, I had to digest it before. It also happened that she advised some of his friends. They couldn't stand it and left the room ...

Ema (Mariana di Girolamo) maintains a tense relationship with Gastón (Gael García Bernal) following a failed adoption.

Do you think you can help some girls take the reins of their lives and take a step forward? I haven't thought about it much, although some people have written to me on Instagram. Above all, girls. The tape is not intended to change a life but to remove you. May you rethink yourself and the world around you. It is shocking and almost a disorder that causes your head or heart to explode. Are you surprised that it is complicated to follow at various times? There are those who have tried to analyze it completely. But I would not recommend it. You cannot complete some aspects. And that can make you desperate because not even I have answers to many questions. The film tries that the public has an active paper. I find it interesting that things are not always delivered to you on a tray. Although that does not like everyone. The director has said that, according to your life experience, this is how you will take this story ... And according to your moral! And that Ema does not intend to impose any moral. What Ema does as a character is ethically and morally questionable. But he does it with such grace that I have no problem with the decisions he makes. The way Ema and her friends have sex is free. And even libertarian ... I think it is very typical of these generations. That does not matter with whom or who, but it does so with responsibility. Ema and her friends are like lovers. And she deconstructs a family to build a new one. I find it wonderful that, but it is not my generation. Neither by age nor by the education I received. I admire all that because I think it's positive. Sex is the way she and her friends have to express themselves ... It's part of her life. And, in the case of Ema, it is also a vital part of achieving its objective.

Ema, with her group of friends, in one of the most amazing scenes of the film.

Did you feel powerful with a flamethrower in your hand? Very powerful! (laughs) That's why I insisted on using it. But in a very concentrated way, because it is a very dangerous weapon that can take you to burn something in the distance ... or even burn yourself if the wind turns. But nothing happened because the whole team was watching me. I think she feels powerful. And he doesn't burn anything, but he does it with a child's play, a car, a bust of a national hero ... The symbolism is that the fire shows its inner state. But I have to say that it is Pablo who has the keys to the movie ... even if he doesn't release them much! He says that Ema is like the sun, that it burns you if you approach it ... Speaking of metaphors, you can also see Ema as a spider ... If you see her with her friends in a bar scene, of course Yes, because they look like spiders that weave a web. She can intimidate. Luckily, with the companions that give life to Ema's friends I felt a great complicity. In addition, they are friends in real life whom I knew before. And that is due to chance, because they went through a casting. Have you been written on Instagram to ask yourself about sexuality issues? Not so much for that. Yes, rather on matters such as dancing, body expression ... I don't talk to everyone because I would go crazy ... But it has happened to me that people want to know about reggaeton or flamethrower. I think that Ema is not a vindictive film, but it exposes many contemporary themes and is an act of tremendous bravery. What definition of all those who have heard about this tape you stay? I like one that was made in Toronto that said it was "Like a punk fairy tale." I think, if you see them, you go out with a tight stomach. By the way, what is feminism for you? It is gender equality or conditions. I do not agree with the most extreme versions of feminism, although we must go to certain extremes to reach a balance. I do not exclude man in feminism; On the contrary, I include him. It is not that the woman has to be above him, but to approach equality. Understanding that we give birth, we are gestating and that is things that man does not have. With Gael García Bernal you have strong scenes of tension and coldness. It was hard for me to work like this. I come from television and here was to say the text, with how raw and cold that can be. And see that Ema tells Gastón precious things ... (laughs). If he says "bad mother", she "infertile pig" to him. For me it was a learning to work with that poetic. Gael and I hugged each other after each scene and asked for forgiveness.

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